Business Context and Reporting Period
Company: James Hardie Industries SE (formerly James Hardie Industries Plc)
Filing Type: Form 6-K (Report of Foreign Private Issuer)
Reporting Period: Month of April 2010 (Filed April 2, 2010)
Principal Executive Offices: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
This filing serves as a cover document for the submission of "Appendix 3B" dated April 1, 2010, as Exhibit 99.1. The registrant files annual reports on Form 20-F.
Financial Metrics
The provided filing text does not contain specific financial data. It is a procedural filing referencing an exhibit (Appendix 3B) which is not included in the source text. Consequently, the following metrics are not available in this document:
- Revenue
- Profit and Margins
- Cash Flow
- Debt and Liquidity
Material Changes
The filing text does not provide comparative financial data or specific operational changes for the period. It references a proposal to transfer the corporate domicile from The Netherlands to Ireland to become an Irish "SE" company, which is listed as a risk factor and forward-looking statement.
Guidance, Outlook, and Risks
Forward-Looking Statements: The filing includes a comprehensive Safe Harbor Statement identifying various forward-looking statements regarding future performance, plant closures, credit facilities, dividends, and tax liabilities.
Key Risks and Contingencies:
- Asbestos Liabilities: Significant exposure related to prior manufacture of asbestos-containing products, including contributions to the Australian Insurance and Compensation Fund (AICF) and potential shortfalls.
- Legal Proceedings: Risks associated with proceedings brought by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) against the company and former directors.
- Corporate Domicile: Risks related to the proposed transfer of corporate domicile from The Netherlands to Ireland.
- Market and Operational Risks: Currency exchange fluctuations, raw material costs, competition, product failures, and environmental liabilities.
Investor Verification Checklist
- Verify the contents of Appendix 3B (Exhibit 99.1), as the specific financial or operational details for April 2010 are contained therein and not in this cover filing.
- Review the status of the proposed corporate domicile transfer to Ireland.
- Monitor updates regarding ASIC proceedings and asbestos-related litigation outcomes.
- Assess the current funding status and actuarial assumptions of the AICF (Australian Insurance and Compensation Fund).